When people look at your art have you ever been asked, “how long did it take?”
It makes me curious: what does the length of time spent on an artwork tell us? And what do the viewers asking about it feel they understand by learning the answer to this question?
It can also lead people to wonder, “how long should I actually spend on my art?”
So here’s a real quick video for you today discussing this topic.
Why do you think people ask this question about our art? How do you answer? Be sure to subscribe to Artist Strong then tell me more in the comments below.
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When asked, I usually answer “A bit more than 60 years”. If pressed about that answer, I am delighted. Further explanation gives me the opening to discuss my career and how it relates to that piece. They are engaged. If I connect, I have a buyer. Maybe not today, but I am no longer a JM on the bottom of a painting.
Respectfully
Peace and love
John
Love your answer! Thanks for sharing John 🙂
Currently, my paintings take an average of 30 minutes or less. The set-up and teardown to do the painting take longer than the painting does.
What can be interesting to test as we build skill and voice is to decrease or increase the amount of time we spend. That can sometimes help us learn things we wouldn’t otherwise about our art.
Another thing that this question brings up…medium? alla prima finished piece? reference sketch? color matching? Everything we do at an easel is not always “art”. Again, when approached, if connected this information is shared when discussing my career and how it relates to what they are seeing.
There are quite a few people in our community who feel pressure to make everything on their easel become “art.” Thank you for helping to normalize that there are many steps to making our art, which can include studies, etc.